SPEAKER of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau yesterday ruled that Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya’s end of week statement be removed from the order paper.
He said Ms Tabuya’s end of week statement contravened Standing Order 61 which stated that when speaking, a member must not refer to any matter in relation to the judicial decision that was pending.
Given that the matter or the Air Terminal Services Board was currently a matter before the courts, Ratu Epeli said it was not appropriate that the proposed statement be discussed in Parliament.
“I refer to the end of the week statement by the honourable Lynda Tabuya in relation to the Air Terminal Services Board which is listed as the second end of the week statement,” he said.
Ratu Epeli highlighted that he was fully aware that the statement in Parliament was approved by the business committee.
However, he invoked his powers under Standing Orders 18, 20 and 124(5) and, therefore, ruled that the end of week statement by Ms Tabuya be removed from yesterday’s order paper.
“My ruling is final and there will be no debate.”
